The Royal Poinciana Plaza, the iconic Palm Beach lifestyle destination, will have a collaboration with world-renowned mixed-media artist Ashley Longshore this holiday season. Longshore will reimagine the property’s iconic surfboard Christmas tree and holiday décor through a mélange of color, sparkle and joy. The tree and décor will be on display Friday, December 4, 2020, through Sunday, January 10, 2020.
Ashley Longshore is a New Orleans based, self-taught artist who is regularly called a young, feminist Andy Warhol for her contribution to pop art and the creative inspiration she finds in pop culture figures and brands.
For this occasion, Longshore will reimagine the 30-foot, 52-board Christmas tree to bring the sense of joy, happiness and a touch of allure to all that visit the plaza. The tree will consist of five unique images of dazzling gemstones created specifically for this installation. Each image is bright, vibrant and colorful creating a tree that is a welcomed sight of fun and delight.
“I’m so thrilled to be creating the holiday installation at the iconic Royal Poinciana Plaza. My love of fashion and all things Palm Beach is melding into one big explosion of color, sparkle, and joy. I used gemstones as the foundation of this holiday because they are very symbolic of the year we’ve all endured,” said artist Ashley Longshore. “It takes a lot of heat, pressure, and time to create the beauty that we adore in jewels. I just wanted to create something joyful … We deserve it. This year has been hard and since I can’t give everyone a big hug, I give you heart and my art.”
“We are delighted to collaborate with Ashley on this grand holiday installation where fashion and art meet to bring pure joy to all who set eyes upon it. The holidays will certainly look different this year, but we want to ensure they are full of hope and joy,” Lori Berg, General Manager, The Royal Poinciana Plaza, said.
The tree and décor will be up for guests to enjoy from December 4th to January 10th.
The virtual event will feature a live auction with one-of-a-kind experiences, patient success stories, a tribute to Nicklaus Children’s health care heroes, and much more. Leading up to the live event, a silent auction opened Saturday, November 21. This year’s Virtual Diamond Ball is open to the public and there is no cost to register.
Barbara and Jack Nicklaus. Photo: Nicklaus Children’s Hospital Foundation.
Now in its 14th year, the signature Nicklaus Children’s Diamond Ball gala was adapted to an online format to ensure everyone’s health and safety during the pandemic. This year’s fundraiser benefits the Nicklaus Children’s COVID-19 Relief Fund, which will shore up supplies, provide testing, and ensure the extra staff and services are in place to address the pandemic until it is behind us.
“While many things around us are constantly changing, we find comfort in knowing we have the continued love and support of generous individuals in our community, and together we will get through difficult times,” said Matthew Love, president and CEO of Nicklaus Children’s Health System. “This year, we’ve all had to navigate challenges brought on by this global pandemic, and I’m humbled by the support our community has shown Nicklaus Children’s Hospital and all of our health care heroes.”
Since March, Nicklaus Children’s has faced an additional $3 million in supply, testing, and workforce-related costs due to the pandemic. Meanwhile, the hospital has experienced millions of dollars in lost revenue due to lower patient volumes and interruptions in elective surgeries, appointments, and routine care.
“We are excited to welcome the community for a special evening as we showcase patient success stories and raise essential funds for Nicklaus Children’s Hospital,” said Michelle Boggs, president of Nicklaus Children’s Hospital Foundation. “When individuals tune in and support us through our Virtual Diamond Ball, they are directly helping us to always put kids first as we continue our focus on hope and healing; because kids’ needs don’t stop in a pandemic.”
The event is possible thanks to the generous support of City National Bank of Florida, Ensemble Health Partners, CVS Pharmacy y más/ Navarro Discount Pharmacy, Greenberg Traurig, Mario Murgado & Murgado Automotive Group, MBF Healthcare Partners, Perry Ellis International, Baptist Health, Braman BMW, Duty Free Americas, Falk, Waas, Hernandez, Solomon, Mendlestein & Davis, P.A., Pediatrix Medical Group, Polsinelli, Prudential Retirement, Robins & Morton, The Hometown Foundation Inc., EY, PNC Bank, Polen Capital, Miami Herald, Sun Sentinel, and WLRN Public Media.
Founded in 1950 by Variety Clubs International, Nicklaus Children’s Hospital is South Florida’s only licensed specialty hospital exclusively for children, with nearly 800 attending physicians and more than 475 pediatric subspecialists. The 309-bed hospital, known as Miami Children’s Hospital from 1983 through 2014, is renowned for excellence in all aspects of pediatric medicine, with many specialty programs routinely ranked among the best in the nation by U.S. News & World Report since 2008. The hospital is also home to the largest pediatric teaching program in the southeastern United States, and has been designated an American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) Magnet facility, the nursing profession’s most prestigious institutional honor. For more information, please visit www.nicklauschildrens.org.
About Nicklaus Children’s Hospital Foundation
Nicklaus Children’s Hospital Foundation is a not-for-profit 501(c)(3) organization established to support the delivery of and access to world-class health care at Nicklaus Children’s Hospital, South Florida’s only freestanding children’s hospital. Founded in 1982 as Miami Children’s Hospital Foundation, Nicklaus Children’s Hospital Foundation was the vision of Ambassador David M. Walters who, after losing his 6-year-old granddaughter to leukemia in 1970 due to lack of medical resources, vowed no child would ever have to leave South Florida for health care. Today, alongside major benefactors Jack and Barbara Nicklaus, Nicklaus Children’s Hospital Foundation is dedicated to raising critical funds for patients and families served at the 309-bed flagship facility and its network of outpatient centers, extending from southern Miami-Dade to Martin County. For more information, visit https://give.nicklauschildrens.org.
— Lower ticket prices and free Gold Access promotion to begin
WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. — Plans for the 2021 South Florida Fair are well under way for the 109th edition of the fair, which will be held January 15-31, 2021 at the fairgrounds, 9067 Southern Blvd. This year’s theme is “An Earthly A-Fair.”
“Just as Disney, art events, boat shows and other entertainment venues have reopened, we also are moving forward with our guests’ safety as our number one priority,” said Vicki Chouris, the fair’s president & CEO. “Throughout our planning process, we have been and continue to be focused on not only providing top-notch entertainment as we do every year but also making sure we institute a number of protocols and changes to ensure the fairgoers’ safety.”
These safety measures include mandatory mask wearing by everyone; hand sanitizing stations throughout the fairgrounds; shorter, more frequent entertainment shows; touchless doors and an improved air-conditioning filtration system in the Expo Center; more strolling acts outdoors and fewer stage acts; mandatory safety protocols for all vendors; and a revamped site layout to accommodate more distancing between rides and other features. In addition, the popular “$2 Tuesdays” promotion has been postponed until 2022 due to the large crowds that it prompted in previous years.
Fairgoers may review the new operations and sanitation procedures on the fair’s website at www.southfloridafair.com.
As to what fairgoers can expect to see at the 2021 fair, the highlights include a sea lion show and the return of the popular racing pigs and ice skating show, which was last featured in 2018. More entertainment will be announced closer to the fair’s opening.
Simplified and lower-priced ticketing for 2021
Advance tickets and ride vouchers are only being sold online via the fair’s website, www.southfloridafair.com from Dec. 4, 2020 through January 14, 2021.
Buying a ticket in advance allows for contactless admission and avoiding having to wait in line at the ticket booths. Guests with an advance ticket will show their barcode on their phone at the gate.
Admission is free for children 10 and younger, in advance and at the gate! (Last year, it was 5 and younger.) Advance tickets are $10 for 11 years and older and may be used any day.
Tickets at the gate will be $10, good Monday-Friday, and $15 on Saturday and Sunday (a $5 savings compared to last year).
Gold Pass Promotion and the return of the PowerPass
From Dec. 4-6 only, guests who purchase a $20 ride voucher, good Monday-Friday, will receive a free Gold Access Pass, a value up to $20, which allows fairgoers to move to the front of the line at a special checkerboard lane.
The ever-popular PowerPass, which includes admission and unlimited rides on any one weekday, is returning and is just $25. If purchased during this same weekend of Dec. 4-6, guests also will receive a free Gold Access Pass.
The PowerPass will continue to be sold online at www.southfloridafair.com through Jan. 14, 2021 for $25.
For more information, photos and videos about the South Florida Fair, go online to www.southfloridafair.com.
About the South Florida Fair: The South Florida Fair is produced by the South Florida Fair & Palm Beach County Expositions, Inc., a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. Located at 9067 Southern Boulevard in West Palm Beach, the 2021 South Florida Fair will be held Jan. 15-31. For more information, call (561) 793-0333 or visit the website, http://www.southfloridafair.com
THE DILLARD HOUSE: IT’S WHERE A HEALTHY APPETITE IS REQUIRED
By Mike May
Many restaurants in the U.S. will state that customers must wear a shirt and shoes in order to be served. Well, when you visit The Dillard House restaurant (www.dillardhouse.com; 706-746-5348; 768 Franklin Street, Dillard, Georgia), a healthy appetite is also an absolutely necessity. Otherwise, you are wasting your time and money.
Besides local residents in Dillard, Georgia, The Dillard House is a very popular dining destination for visiting tourists.
Rock House building
Located in the extreme northeastern section of Georgia, The Dillard House is not far from the Georgia-North Carolina state line. Besides a guaranteed good meal, its current location gives visitors great views of the surrounding Blue Ridge Mountains, at all times of the year.
The dishes at The Dillard House are homemade and served “family-style.” It’s Southern cooking at its finest. By “family-style,” it means that if you want more food, they’ll bring it to your table, at no extra charge. That’s the case for breakfast, lunch, and dinner – 365 days a year. Each item on the menu at The Dillard House comes from a recipe that has been passed along from one generation of the Dillard family to the next. The Dillard House has been serving three meals a day since it opened more than a century ago – starting in 1917.
To pinpoint certain items on the menu would be doing a disservice to all other items on the menu since every item is tasty and delicious. But, it’s worth noting that the fried chicken may be the best in the South. The vegetables – which include potatoes au gratin, green beans, creamed corn, steamed broccoli, glazed carrots, Ford Hook lima beans, and Harvard beets — are as good, if not better, than what your grandmother cooks. The sweet iced tea
gets better with every sip. And, the breakfast may be among the nation’s best – definitely second-to-none south of the Mason-Dixon line. Yes, it’s that good!
“Our family prides itself on serving only the freshest food which is prepared on site and cooked daily,” said Louise Dillard, owner, The Dillard House. “We are truly a farm-to-table restaurant.”
At The Dillard House, the objective at this family-owned and operated restaurant is for each guest to never leave hungry. To date, that mission has been accomplished.
One of the philosophies at The Dillard House is rather simple and straightforward: “As long as you keep asking for more, we’ll keep it coming.”
If you happen to visit The Dillard House during a holiday, you will see a special holiday menu.
In addition to providing a first-class and filling meal, the goal is to provide the best dining experience possible.
Not surprisingly, restaurant critics at Southern Living Magazine have showered The Dillard House with some well-deserved recognition, two Reader Choice Awards — one for Best Breakfast/Brunch Restaurant and one for Southern Favorite Restaurant. The Dillard House Restaurant is also Zagat rated.
If you want to enjoy the complete experience at The Dillard House, you can spend the night there, as well. The various forms of accommodation include modern rooms, quaint cottages, secluded and romantic chalets, and the original rock house rooms. Making a reservation is suggested by calling 1-800-541-0671.
On your next trip to North Georgia, do yourself a gastronomical favor and include a visit to The Dillard House. Make sure you wear a shirt and shoes. And, bring along a healthy appetite, too.
This Season Spread Holiday Cheer, not Holiday Contagion
By Julie Khanna
Of all of the challenges this year has brought us, the holidays are no exception. Most of us find ourselves longing for the familiar feeling of holiday traditions and the urge to indulge in some sense of normalcy. Sharing family recipes, exchanging warm holiday greetings, and thoughts of connecting with loved ones after months of virtual spaces are all welcomed thoughts.
But just like everything else in 2020, we are stumbling together trying to recreate a safer version of our new normal. How and who we choose to share the holidays with takes careful consideration now as we’re mindful of social distancing and smaller capacities.
So how does the host decide who’s safe to make the in person guest list and how to host a holiday safely?
For starters, don’t fall for the ol’ “I’ve already had COVID so I don’t need a mask” line.
With the immense number of COVID-19 cases, there’s a good chance at least one of your potential guests have had COVID-19 by now. “They should still wear a mask. Even though reinfections are rare, there have been a few reported cases. Plus, we don’t know if they are still shedding the virus. I’ve seen people shedding for two weeks and I’ve seen people shedding for 5-6 weeks. It’s hard to tell if they’re still infectious,” says Dr. Ravi Pandey, a board certified internal medicine physician and hospitalist in Palm Beach County.
“We also don’t want to give off the perception that it’s okay to be without a mask in a social gathering,” says Dr. Pandey.
Knowing if your guests are no longer contagious is necessary.
The onset of symptoms is an important benchmark to consider so don’t be shy to ask.
“For most people, 10 days after the onset of symptoms is when they’re not supposed to be contagious,” says Dr. Pandey.
According to the CDC website, “persons with mild to moderate COVID-19 remain infectious no longer than 10 days after symptom onset. Persons with more severe to critical illness likely remain infectious no longer than 20 days after symptom onset. For most persons with COVID-19 illness, isolation and precautions can generally be discontinued 10 days after symptom onset and resolution of fever for at least 24 hours, without the use of fever-reducing medications, and with improvement of other symptoms.”
“Re-testing is not recommended by the CDC. But a negative test documenting that you are negative after the infection is another indicator” that you are likely no longer contagious.
What if your guest assures you they’re no longer contagious but they’re still coughing and complaining of not feeling well.
We now know that some symptoms linger like fatigue, shortness of breath or cough. Some studies say lingering symptoms can last for weeks to months after the infection, despite the person not being contagious anymore.
“As long as they are wearing a mask and we are wearing a mask, and they are not considered contagious any longer per the CDC guidelines, it’s still okay,” says Dr. Pandey.
Being together for the holidays is important but so is your safety. Having the corona-conversation with your guests ahead of time is a necessity. For those that are choosing to forgo a virtual holiday, please make sure to allow for adequate social distancing, wear masks in social settings, host outdoors if possible, and follow CDC recommendations for your out of town guests.
As we learn our new normal together it’s vital that we remember there are still so many unknowns. “We are playing with something that we don’t know everything about so it’s better to err on the side of caution than not,” says Dr. Pandey.
Dr. Ravi Pandey is available for extended and weekend hours in his West Palm Beach office. (561) 867-0000
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Julie Khanna is the owner of Khanna Connections, a marketing, communications and relations firm with a niche in the medical, health and wellness industries.
Quantum Foundation awards $1 million to grassroots nonprofits
Palm Beach County organizations receive funds for basic needs
(West Palm Beach, Fla.) – Quantum Foundation, Palm Beach County’s largest health funder, is celebrating a major milestone with its 10th annual Quantum in the Community (QIC) initiative, funding grassroots organizations in Palm Beach County. Recently, 112 nonprofits received their portion of $1 million in unrestricted funding to go toward such essentials as meals, hygiene products, rent/utility assistance, clothing, transportation and more.
“The COVID-19 pandemic brought forward longstanding health inequities in disinvested communities, exposing the impacts of the social determinants of health,” said Eric Kelly, president of Quantum Foundation. “Health equity is our way forward, and these vulnerable communities need their basic needs met, now more than ever. Quantum in the Community funding has helped many of these organizations survive this current crisis.”
The Quantum Foundation Board. Photo: Tracey Benson Photography
In 2011, Quantum Foundation board of directors made a commitment to this annual program when surveys showed local nonprofits were struggling to keep their doors open in the troubled economy. Since then, Quantum Foundation has awarded a total of $7.5 million through this initiative, currently co-chaired by board members Ethel Isaacs Williams and Donna Mulholland, with support from Dr. Gerald O’Connor, board member.
Quantum Foundation’s mission is to fund initiatives that improve the health of Palm Beach County residents. In 1998, Quantum Foundation marked its rookie year as one of Palm Beach County’s newest and largest philanthropic organizations with an impressive $7.6 million granted to more than 40 Palm Beach County projects. Just over 20 years later, with assets of approximately $155 million, the foundation’s focus remains on keeping Palm Beach County healthy. The organization’s awards to date total $145 million and have impacted hundreds of local nonprofit organizations.
Three of this year’s QIC recipients explain what the grants do to help our community and how people can assist those efforts.
From a warm coat to a hot lunch or even a sofa for a single mom, Church of the Harvest serves the people of the Glades area. The pantry provides free food, clothing, furniture, household goods, diapers, ice and water, and anything else clients might need.
Barbara Iderosa and her husband, Pastor Rich Iderosa, started the nonprofit almost 20 years ago. Before the pandemic, Church of the Harvest was serving close to 400 people a week. That number has skyrocketed to nearly 2,000 people a month. An anonymous donor helps with most utilities, fuel and insurance; however, the QIC grant bridges the gaps that are needed to help keep the operation going. Iderosa said her organization serves some of Palm Beach County’s poorest residents.
“We would have a difficult time without being in partnership with Quantum Foundation,” Iderosa said. “It is an especially important grant for us, and we are so grateful for it. There was no centralized pantry in the Glades area when we started back in 2000. Out here, it is an impoverished area where people do not have jobs or even access to jobs, leaving so many households without a way of earning money to live. There is some public transportation, but because there are very few jobs in the Glades, so many people have to take multiple buses into West Palm Beach, Welllington, or Loxahatchee just to get to work every day, and they go all that way for minimum wage jobs. I have always said, ‘We are 30 miles away from the West Palm Beach area, and 30 years behind.’ So we do what we can to fill the need, and find another need.”
The organization’s greatest need is funding, but volunteers, food donations and other contributions are always welcome. To donate, volunteer or learn more, visit www.churchoftheharvestpahokee.com or call 561-924-7776.
The Society of St. Vincent de Paul’s (SVDP) mission is to support and help the poor, restore dignity and spread the love of Christ to everyone. Kate Devine, president of the SVDP District of Palm Beach County, says volunteers meet with each client, prioritize their needs and connect them to other services if they cannot help directly. All funds remain in Palm Beach County, so neighbors are helping neighbors. The Quantum Foundation grant helps financially support clients who come to SVDP needing assistance with rent, utilities or other bills.
“Caroline,” an alias to protect her identity, was living in the park just a few short weeks ago when it started pouring rain. She called Devine and was in a hotel room that night. Caroline has since gotten her own apartment and she credits the SVDP organization for changing her life. “They are my saviors,” Caroline said. “They were there for me without hesitation. They came in my life when I was giving up and they stepped up when I needed it and restored hope. I honestly don’t know where I would be right now if not for Kate.”
Although SVDP focuses primarily on bill pay, the mission goes further. “We are fulfilling the gospel and that is our mission,” Divine said. “We are not just another social agency that pays the bills – we want to make sure our clients are successful.”
Their largest need is funding, but volunteer opportunities are also available. To learn more, donate or volunteer, visit www.svdp-palmbeach.org or call 561-401-9585.
Renette Verhaeghe was watching the news one night and learned that many Palm Beach County veterans were homeless, living in their cars or on the beach, and she felt that was unacceptable. That was three years ago when OPERATION120 started, and the organization has exponentially grown since then.
“We help clients with resumés, job placement, budgeting, credit repair and debt consolidation; we teach job and life skills, offer mediation, trauma counseling and brain mapping – all for free,” Verhaeghe said. Once the clients graduate OPERATION120’s 90-day program, the organization helps the women find a place to live, provides assistance with creating a budget and continues to offer mentoring. “We offer a whole health package, meeting all the needs that are more than medical,” Verhaeghe said.
Miracle, an OPERATION120 client, is a disabled veteran who served 15 years in the U.S. Army. “The 90-day program was a good experience,” Miracle said. “OPERATION120 is a good opportunity for any female veteran who wants to better her life, whatever the situation. You could not ask for a better program.”
The agency has a 3,000-square-foot home in Lake Worth Beach, operational since January, and QIC funding is a big part of keeping that building running. “The Quantum Foundation grant is amazing,” Verhaeghe said. “The money helps us pay the rent, which takes care of that necessity, and it’s one less thing we have to worry about.”
OPERATION120 needs monetary donations and volunteers. To learn more or to get involved, visit www.operation120.org or vall 561-463-VETS (8387).
For more information about Quantum Foundation, or to learn about applying for grants, please visit www.quantumfnd.org or call 561-832-7497. Applications for Quantum in the Community grants open in the spring every year and funds are awarded each November. To learn more about the Quantum in the Community initiative, please visit www.quanumfnd.org/quantum-in-the-community.
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A full list of the grantees is as follows:
2020 Quantum in the Community Grantees
Belle Glade/Pahokee/South Bay
Federation of Families of Florida
Light House Café Ministries of the Glades, Inc.
New Beginning Community Outreach, Inc.
Pahokee Deliverance Christian Center
Church of the Harvest
Balanced Living Mentorship
GCI Training and Empowerment Center, Inc.
Kings Tutoring and Mentorship Foundation, Inc.
Boca Raton
The Jacob Zweig Foundation, Inc.
Mercy and Compassion, Inc.
Spirit of Giving Network
Boynton Beach
Hosanna Evangelical Alliance Church, Inc.
Church of God of Palm Bay, Inc.
Next Generations of Holocaust Survivors, Inc.
Eglise De Dieu Agape
Good Samaritan Alliance Church of Boynton Beach, Inc.
Women Without Walls Empowerment Center, Inc.
Delray Beach
Cityhouse Delray Beach, Inc.
Eat Better Live Better
Emmaus Alliance Ministries, Inc.
Family Promise of South Palm Beach County, Inc.
Suits for Seniors, Inc.
Wheels from the Heart
Jupiter/Tequesta
Bella’s Angels, Inc.
Big Heart Brigade
Chasen’ Tailz
Chasin a Dream Foundation
Clothing by Faith for Children, Inc.
Connor Moran Children’s Cancer Foundation
Hannah’s Home of South Florida, Inc.
St. Vincent De Paul of St. Peter
Vital Flight, Inc.
Lake Park
Club 100 Charities, Inc.
Heart of God Missions International
Joint Mission, Inc.
Shammah Baptist Worship Center, Inc.
Lake Worth/Lantana
Arms of Hope Community, Inc.
Chariots of Love
Dress for Success Palm Beaches, Inc.
God’s Army Raising Youth
Haiti Cholera Research Funding Foundation
OPERATION120
Restoration Bridge International
Salem Haitian Evangelical Lutheran
South Florida Sanctuary, Inc.
North Palm Beach/Palm Beach Gardens
FFA Foundation, Inc.
Hands Together of the Palm Beaches, Inc.
Little Smiles, Inc.
Metropolitan Community Church of the Palm Beaches
Palm Beach Children’s Chorus, Inc.
Riviera Beach
Children and Family Charity, Inc.
Children’s Outreach, Inc.
Faith Missionary Temple Corporation
Four Corners of Faith, Inc.
The Giving Closet Project, Inc.
Holy Ground Shelter for Homeless, Inc.
Life Center of Palm Beach County, Inc.
Lil Jesus Ministry
Parianna Precious Hands, Inc.
Riviera Beach Community Outreach, Inc.
St. George’s Center, Inc.
Wellington/Greenacres/Royal Palm Beach
Angels for Friends Corp.
Back to Basics, Inc.
Bi-Wi “Because I’m Worth It” International, Inc.
Dezman Fleury Foundation, Inc.
Family First Community Outreach Services
Hope 4 Mobility, Inc.
Kids Cancer Foundation
National Council of Jewish Women, Palm Beach
The Talented Teen Club
Wellington Cares
Wellington Community Foundation, Inc.
West Palm Beach
A&A Workforce, Inc.
A Barry Safe Place, Inc.
A Different Shade of Love
Adiva Cares Foundation, Inc.
AHOP A Way Community Outreach
Angel Flight Southeast
Buccan Provisions Non-profit Corp.
Do Right Church of Jesus Christ, God & The Holy Ghost
Donation and Charity Center, Inc.
EmpoweHer of the Palm Beaches
Extended Hands Community Outreach
Family Promise of North/Central Palm Beach County, Inc.
Feeding the Hungry, Inc.
Feed the Hungry Pantry of Palm Beach County
Florida A&M University National Alumni Association, Inc.
HACER Ministry Corp.
Hands of Love Community Development Center, Inc.
Heart, Health & Healing Ministries, Inc.
Hospitality Helping Hands
Ladies of Futurity, Inc.
The Leroy Freeman Evangelistic Association, Inc./More Than Conquerors
LTTG Fund for the Needy, Inc.
My Own Home Project, Inc.
Martin Luther King Jr. Coordinating Committee
Northwest Community Consortium, Inc.
Palm Beach Harvest, Inc.
Philanthropy Tank
Police Athletic League of West Palm Beach
Redemptive Life Urban Initiative Corp.
The Sock Drawer
Sojourners with Healing Hearts, Inc.
Society of St. Vincent de Paul, Palm Beach District Council
The Pink Queen Foundation
Trinity United Methodist Church of West Palm Beach, Inc.
True Fast Outreach Ministries, Inc.
We Care About People, Inc.
West Palm Beach Police Foundation
Youth Empowered to Prosper
Organizations based outside Palm Beach County with service to its residents
Dance the Night Away: A preview of “Viva La Danza”-a tribute to the late Marie Hale performed by the Ballet Arts Dance Company and a brief interview with the inspiring Artistic Director Deborah Marquez
By Denise Marsh
You make me feel like dancing
Dance has always and continues to be a source of passion, a creative outlet, and a stress-reliever for me. When I was younger, I shamed Ballet shoes by trying to dance in them but equalized that someday Dance would become a driving force in my life and a mainstay. When we lived in Brooklyn, my mother used to take my twin sister and me to see Alvin Ailey dance performances in New York City. It was always a big deal and the highlight of every year growing up. We never had a lot of money but she’d save up every penny and we’d all dress up and enjoy every show like it was our last until it was… Even though my mother has passed on, her love for dance still lives in my heart. Every performance of Alvin Ailey was like watching a dream unfold – emotions and I became part of the “dance” on multiple levels.
Although I once shamed my ballet shoes, I did rekindle and make amends with dance mishaps by immersing myself in the dance world again. I began with interviewing Doreen Scheinpflug Fortman a year ago when she opened up a Fred Astaire studio in Wellington and took dance classes there as well. I found a new “family” in dance and realized that I could dance…pretty well, in fact.
Dancing Full Circle
Just recently I was given a wonderful opportunity to revisit dance by previewing the upcoming Performance, “Viva La Danza”-a tribute to the late Marie Hale sponsored by Ballet Dance Company (which will be premiering on Friday December 4th and Saturday, December 5th at the Kravis Center in West Palm Beach, Florida. I invite you to learn of a spectacular performance and make two names familiar to your world: Marie Hale and Deborah Marquez.
Who is Marie Hale?
Marie Hale
I had heard her name a few times in passing but never really took ample time to learn the magnitude of her contributions to dance until recently. There is actually a plethora of information available on her via the internet, social media, YouTube and from several newspapers and dance magazines so I will do my best to compile a summary for you.
Marie Hale is the founder of Ballet Florida. She was a very feisty and ambitious dance genius of a woman. Hale transformed a once primarily male-dominated dance school into the prominent Ballet Florida-a major Ballet company. Mrs. Hale grew up in Greenwood, Mississippi and started taking dance classes when she was 2. Later in life she taught dance and charm classes. In 1983 Marie created Ballet Florida. At that time the company hadn’t become professional until it started paying dancers, three years later.
Hale was able to provide audiences with entertaining story evening ballets including the famous “Nutcracker” and more contemporary works like Daniel Ezralow’s “Read My Hips”. She believed that dancers needed to stretch their limits and challenge traditional beliefs they had of themselves as dancers and about dance in general. Marie preached tough love and perseverance; she pushed dancers to embrace their dreams to the fullest.
The Dance of Life
This brings me to the main focus of our article, the amazing and brilliant Artistic Director, Deborah Marquez, the creator of “Viva La Danza”. Marquez came to the United States from Cuba in 2002. She entered the Ballet Florida under the direction of Marie Hale and it transformed her life, giving her a new found sensitivity towards dance, greater opportunity and understanding towards modern day dancers.
Ballet Arts Dance Company’s logo is “where passion meets dance”. Their mission is to impact people’s lives through the art of dance as a platform for artists in Palm Beach County and also to enhance their experiences while expanding their careers. To find out more information please go to www.balletartscompany.org.
I hope you dance
“Viva La Danza” means, “you live as long as you dance”-the poetry and the truth live in those words! Deborah Marquez choreographed this 45-minute performance celebrating contemporary dance and classical ballet. There will be performances by young, talented dancers and an acclaimed international star, Tara Domitro. The dances were all choreographed as a living testament and tribute to the late Marie Hale.
As per the Kravis Center, please read through the safety protocols and guidelines before you arrive:
CDC masks are required.
Temperature checks are performed prior to entry.
There is limited Cabaret Style seating sold as tables of 4. It is $200 which includes admission to the purchaser and up to 3 guests.
Park on Level 3 in Kravis Center parking garage to avoid use of elevator and stairs.
There are two nights of performances: Friday, December 4th and Saturday, December 5th at 7pm.
Currently there is limited seating availability.
Deborah Marquez
Talk to Me
A big thank you goes out to the Artistic Director Deborah Marquez who took time out of her busy schedule to do this phone interview.
AW: Tell us about your relationship with dance legend Marie Hale. What was the best piece of advice she ever gave you that influenced your dancing/coaching career?
DM: When I arrived in the United States, I was so grateful for her. She embraced me with the company. She taught me to be strong and work hard. Hale taught me that you must have one Non-profit organization and one Profit organization. When I choreographed this show, I wanted to keep honoring and celebrating her so that others could share in her legacy.
AW:What are some highlights of this performance?
DM: It’s like a high- level Star Search. Sophie Molosky is an amazing dancer -look her up! These are a new generation of talented dancers. It portrays my wish to fight and establish a company in Palm Beach County and to create a space for talented dancers. It is about supporting your local companies, engaging your audience, and having a special night with beautiful performances with contemporary pieces.
AW.: Tell us about your own dance background. About how old were you when you realized you wanted to become a dancer?
DM: I was born in Cuba. I studied with the ballet in Cuba which became the Ballet National of Cuba. I was 5 years old and got serious at 8. But later at 17, I became VERY serious.
AW:What is the key to great choreography?
DM: It depends. It is definitely about being more independent in style. I reproduce classical ballet in big productions and renew the art of classical ballet. I like to inspire to create a piece. You really have to have a mood to recreate-an idea is also super important.
AW: What’s your advice to young people who aspire to become professional dancers?
DM: I have two words: Discipline and Sacrifice. You must love to be passionate and committed. You can NEVER work hard enough. For the new generation I would say to “try to express yourself” and lose the cell phone! You have to be able to express yourself openly and publicly so people understand your unique style. Technology is not really expressing yourself. Self-expression is 100 percent and that is the only way. You must say “good morning” every day and just go for it – make it your flower!
AW: You are originally from Cuba. How is Cuban dancing different than American dancing?
DM: I am not trying to saying anything negative in a comparison but there is definitely a difference in styles. In Cuban dancing, it is friendlier, you are more “one”. You are not afraid to dance close and move in a way that might seem more “showy”. It is about expression and less conventional. I love America and it gave me opportunities to express my dreams. I came to a country who literally opened the windows to my dreams. I am grateful for America and always will be.I just am not about to forget where I am from. I will always be a Cuban-Americano-those are my roots. I keep my roots alive in my dance company.
AW: What would you say to people who love to watch dance but claim that they have “two left feet” so they never try?
DM: If you never try you will never discover what you can do. You need to go for it and don’t sit around. You will learn important lessons if you keep trying!
AW: Dancing cannot only be physically exhausting but an expensive endeavor for some young people in training. How does Dance Ballet help fund young dancers’ dreams if they are financially disadvantaged?
DM: That is definitely a problem. Sometimes I am able to give scholarships but it is hard to pay for things. Sometimes there are programs and outreach programs. But the system here is different I created my special program with the Palm Beach Cultural Council called “Art in my Backyard” to help families with low revenues participate in dance opportunities. But there is so much more to do and more to overcome.
AW: Dance today has become more liberated in terms of music, routines, personal expression and even choreography. How do you change with the times to accommodate all this “newness”?
DM: It is wonderful to combine routines and connect with students. I like to give my students personal space to train and it make it their favorite space. I also like to engage them to be the very best that they can be. I honor and respect their styles but I believe in relating back to being disciplined and having a good work ethic-I like to establish this from the very beginning.
AW: What are your future plans for the company?
DM: I would like to establish a company in Palm Beach County. It has been a dream to have this here. I want to bring the beautiful art of dance to all my fans!
Just Dance…
Go see the performance-forget about politics, crime and reality for a little while. Breathe in the music, tap your feet and lose yourself in a space and place that only Dance can take you. Remember, the late Marie Hale’s vivacity and Marquez’s uplifting words and “Viva La Danza!”
POPPING PROSECCO WITH THE PRESIDENT OF IMPACT 100 PALM BEACH COUNTY
(Boca Raton, FL.) — On Thursday, November 12th Impact 100 Palm Beach County along with Venue Sponsor, Boca Raton Resort & Club hosted Prosecco with the President via Zoom. The virtual audience heard from Kathy Adkins, President of Impact 100 Palm Beach County; Kathryn Gillespie, Lisa Warren and Nicole Mugavero, membership co-chairs; Molly Reiss, grants co-chair and past grant recipient Renee Layman, President and CEO of Center for Child Counseling. The speakers provided background on the nonprofit organization, the snapshot of the last decade, current plans for the 2021 grant cycle, future plans in Southern Palm Beach County and how members can make a great impact in their communities.
“The key component of this organization is that women can make a tremendous impact in their own backyard – simply by attending one meeting and casting one vote – or by devoting as much time as they like and meeting new friends and neighbors in their own community,” said Adkins. “As we enter our 10th year of grants in Palm Beach County next year, we are incredibly proud of the good our members are doing right here at home!”
To celebrate its “Cheers to 10 Years” milestone, Impact 100 Palm Beach County leadership has planned several upcoming virtual and in-person events for prospective members to meet current members and learn more about the world’s second largest Impact organization. With a current roster of more than 500 members, Impact 100 Palm Beach County’s goal is to have 600 members in 2021 so they can grant $600,000 to deserving nonprofits.
Impact 100 Palm Beach County is a women’s 501c3 nonprofit organization funding local nonprofit initiatives. It is comprised of a growing number of women who donate $1,000 annually, pool all funds and vote to award multiple $100,000 grants to nonprofits serving southern Palm Beach County in five focus areas: Arts, Culture and Historic Preservation; Education; Environment and Animal Welfare; Family; and Health and Wellness.
For more information about Impact 100 Palm Beach County or to join this chapter, please visit www.impact100pbc.org or call 561-336-4623.
Mary Tidy-Coyle brings lifelong love of art and concept about how personal experiences shift perception into classrooms at the Armory Art Center
Mary Tidy-Coyle tells her students at the Armory that creating art is more than fun, it requires continual ‘practice.’
“Art is a growing process…something to nurture,” said Tidy-Coyle, of The Acreage.
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A celebrated artist, Tidy-Coyle has been practicing art for as long as she can remember.
“I don’t know if it was ever a ‘realization,’ that I was an artist…it seems to be something that has always been a part of me…”
As a child, she recalls always creating, drawing, and coloring and is thankful that her family was so supportive of her ever-growing interests and continuing goals in the arts. Her educational accolades involve earning a Master of Fine Arts Degree from Tyler School of Art from the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts and Bachelor of Fine Arts Degree from Tyler School of Art at Temple University.
“I am very proud to be a part of our Nation’s first art museum and school,” she said of her studies on the renowned campus of PAFA. “So many of the great artists we study in Art History went to PAFA.”
At the Armory, Art History, critique and analyses are intentionally woven into her teaching methods for students of every skill level. “I get them to talk about (art)…show them how to be creative observers.”
For example, when students work on still life paintings – drawing and painting objects, she’ll offer, “That apple looks great…it is an apple…but not THIS apple!”
Accountability for work and honest criticism are a staple, students have come to know and respect. “It builds confidence in themselves as artists and it shows in their work.”
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In addition to serving the community as an Armory Instructor, Tidy-Coyle also teaches at Palm Beach State College, and provides lessons to middle and high school-aged students.
“It’s never too late, or too early, to try something you have an interest in, or a passion about,” she said. “The creative process is a wonderful thing to experience first-hand…it expands your perspective, helps you practice patience, and heightens your observation.”
“There’s a certain uniqueness that comes with attending an art school, being surrounded by creatives – where everyone speaks the same ‘language,’” she said.
“I think the Armory Art Center offers its community a step into the art world around them, and beyond,” said Tidy-Coyle. “Having a community organization that believes in the significance of art as a cultural necessity, is such a wonderful thing to have access to…”
Mary Tidy-Coyle Artist Statement: In my work I am interested in how an environment can influence who we are, and how personal experiences shift perception. By sifting an experience through the creative process – I can record, document and reflect. My process is based on working in a series, in which I explore an idea, or subject, through multiples. My use of materials is based off of my subject matter, allowing me to work in a wide variety of media and techniques; from utilizing technology through filmmaking to something as traditional as painting. When working in more traditional materials (painting & drawing), I often rely on Art History and the formal elements to guide me – in my collection of landscape paintings – which are based on my travels and living experiences in different regions of the United States. I look to such artists as Richard Diebenkorn, Georgia O’Keeffe, Mark Rothko and Helen Frankenthaler. While experiencing such diverse landscapes and environments I become inspired creatively, particularly as I ponder our current environmental climate crisis. The idea of a contemporary artist approaching the landscape – a historically traditional subject matter – may seem irrelevant, but I disagree. The landscape has never been more significant as it is today.
The Jim Moran Foundation Awards Grant to Unicorn Children’s Foundation
Boca Raton, FL – November 20, 2020 –The Unicorn Children’s Foundation is extremely grateful for a $20,000 grant from The Jim Moran Foundation. Provided in support of the Unicorn Children’s Foundation mission, this funding is more important now than ever before due to the impacts of COVID-19.
Sharon Alexander, CEO of the Unicorn Children’s Foundation, shared “This gift of generosity will certainly be a safety net for the 1 of every 6 children who are or have been diagnosed with a developmental or learning disorder and their families!It has given us flexibility to efficiently shift our revenue to where it is needed most.”
COVID has had significant impact on people with special needs and their families. Children and young adults with special needs havefound themselves even more isolated, unemployed and/or transitioning to virtual education. In addition to parenting, families have now had to figure out how to become their child’s therapist, educator, and sole social network with little to no supports or training. Virtual learning has not been an effective modality for many of our population as they have difficulty sustaining attention to a computer screen or simply cannot navigate the technology. Nonprofit organizations face significant challenges to obtain thefunding for programmatic and operating expenses, all while the demands for services and supports are exponentially increasing.
